News

Brazilian Cattle Slaughter Down in Third Quarter

19 December 2014

BRAZIL - Brazilian cattle slaughter during the third quarter fell by 4.5 per cent year-on-year and one per cent on the previous quarter, to 8.5 million head, according to the Brazilian Institute of Geographic and Statistics (IBGE) quarterly survey.

Meat and Livestock Australia said that the drop disrupts a series of 11 consecutive quarterly rises.

The reduced availability on cattle ready to slaughter, among other factors, is related to the dry and hot weather between late 2013 and the start of 2014, which compromised water volumes in many producing regions and consequently pasture and stock condition.

MLA said that female slaughter accounted for 38.7 per cent of the total and registered the second consecutive retraction.

In 2013, it accounted for 39.4 per cent and for 40.3 per cent in 2012.

Beef production fell by 4.1 per cent year-on-year, to 2.03 million tonnes cwe, with average carcase weight remaining steady, at 239/kg head.

MLA said that according to IPCA/IBGE (Consumer Price Index - Brazilian inflation indicator), the record cattle prices have reflected on higher wholesale prices.

From January to September almost all beef cuts were quoted above inflation rate and above other protein sources (pork, chicken, eggs and fish).